DVD+RW (8cm) Digital Camcorders

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 13.8 oz

The Bottom Line: Hitachi had a good idea--put both a hard disk drive and a DVD in a camcorder--but implements it poorly in the DZ-HS300A.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 15.3 oz

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-UX1 is a very nice camcorder; unfortunately, its myriad compatibility issues make it almost impossible to recommend over other similar models.

Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm)

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD205 is as middling as its sibling, the DCR-DVD305; however, it eschews the impractical features of the DVD305 for a lower price tag, making it a better bargain.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 12 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 0.69 megapixels, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: For a moderate price, you get the convenience of recording your video directly to DVD media, but the entry-level Hitachi DZ-BX35A offers only basic features and can't deliver the image quality of Hitachi's step-up DVD camcorders.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: There are better choices than the Sony Handycam DCR-DVD305, a so-so DVD camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 12 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 0.69 megapixels, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for an inexpensive DVD camcorder and you don't care about stills, Hitachi's DZ-GX3100A is worth a look.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 15 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 14.8 oz

The Bottom Line: Hitachi's DZ-GX3200A delivers decent video quality at a relatively inexpensive price for a DVD camcorder.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 15.9 oz

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive DVD camcorder with decent image quality, the Hitachi DZ-GX3300A might be for you.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm)

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 is a solid DVD camcorder, as long as you don't mind fiddling with a touch-screen interface on a too-small display.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), 2.05 megapixels, 1.3 lbs